Moving From Simi Valley to Phoenix?

The Phoenix area, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler, is one of the top destinations for Californians. One of our own Simi Valley clients sold here and bought in Arizona, and both closed the same day. If Arizona is on your list, here's how to plan both halves of the move.

Our free guide, Leaving California: The Seller's Game Plan, covers:

• The tax questions to answer first, and the list to bring your CPA
• A worksheet for your real walk-away number
• Three ways to time your sale with your Phoenix purchase
• How to sell from a distance if you've already moved
• A 90-day checklist for leaving the state

The California side: what to settle before you list

• Capital gains. If you owned and lived in the home for two of the last five years, the IRS generally lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most married couples filing jointly). That's IRS Publication 523.
• California can still tax the gain after you move. A California home is California-source income, so the state can tax the gain even if you already live in Arizona. Your CPA will want to see the numbers before you list, not after.
• The withholding form nobody warns you about. At closing, escrow may withhold 3⅓% of the sale price for the California Franchise Tax Board unless an exemption applies (Form 593). Selling your main home often qualifies for one. Ask early so it doesn't catch you by surprise.
• Timing. Sell first, buy first, or close both at once. We plan both moves together so you're not stuck in between.

What changes when you move to Arizona

• A flat 2.5% state income tax. Arizona has a single flat income tax rate of 2.5%, and it doesn't tax Social Security benefits. California can still tax income earned in California, including the gain on your California home.
• Register your car, and check emissions first. In the Phoenix and Tucson areas, some vehicles need an emissions test before they can be registered. ADOT says to pass it before your MVD visit. Check azdot.gov for current requirements.
• Get your Arizona driver license in person. Bring your current license, proof you're authorized to be in the U.S., and your Social Security number. No appointment is needed.
• HOAs are common. Many Phoenix-area neighborhoods have HOAs. Read the dues, rules and reserves before you write an offer.
• Summer is serious. Visit in July before you commit, and look at cooling costs, shade and pool upkeep when you compare homes.

Questions people ask

Does Arizona have a state income tax?

Yes, a flat 2.5%. Arizona doesn't tax Social Security benefits. California can still tax income from California sources, such as the gain on a California home sale.

Do I need an emissions test to register my car in Phoenix?

Some vehicles in the Phoenix and Tucson areas do. ADOT recommends passing it before your MVD visit. Check azdot.gov for your vehicle.

Can you sell my Simi Valley home if I've already moved to Phoenix?

Yes. We handle showings, vendors and updates here, and escrow can usually arrange for you to sign where you are.

Can you help me find an agent in Phoenix?

Yes. We'll help you connect with an experienced local agent there and coordinate both closings so the dates line up.

Is this tax advice?

No. We're Realtors, not CPAs. We explain the general rules and give you a real estimate of your sale price and selling costs to take to your tax professional.

Keep reading

• Leaving California? How to Sell Your Simi Valley Home and Time Your Move
• How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Simi Valley?
• Moving from Simi Valley to Las Vegas
• Moving from Simi Valley to Boise
• Moving from Simi Valley to Nashville
• Moving from Simi Valley to Dallas
• Moving from Simi Valley to Florida

Sources: Arizona Department of Transportation, New to Arizona; Arizona Department of Revenue (flat 2.5% rate); IRS Publication 523; California Franchise Tax Board, Form 593. Rules change, so confirm details with the agency or your tax professional. Information current as of October 2026.